Transport CanadaMedium Risk
This page covers 27 recalls, 269 owner complaints and NHTSA crash-test ratings for the 2020 Tesla Model Y.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The dominant complaint pattern for the 2020 Tesla Model Y centers on the forward collision avoidance system, which draws by far the most reports. Owners frequently describe the automatic emergency braking and collision warning features activating unexpectedly, phantom braking at highway speeds, false alerts with no obstacle present, and abrupt deceleration that catches drivers off guard. Suspension complaints are the next most-reported area, with owners describing squeaking, grinding, and clunking noises, along with wheel bearing issues that in some cases worsened over time. Lane departure complaints run at roughly the same volume as suspension, with owners reporting unintended lane-keeping interventions and erratic steering corrections. A smaller number of reports mention an intermittent fault with the passenger seat occupant detection system.
269
Total Complaints
47
Crash-Related
17
With Injuries
By System
The 2020 Tesla Model Y has 27 recalls, the most serious involving the front suspension and steering components, where control arms, knuckles, or lateral links can detach or fracture, causing sudden loss of steering control or vehicle stability.
The chassis concerns extend to the brakes: loose brake caliper bolts can allow a caliper to separate and contact the wheel rim, which can cause a tire to lose pressure. On the restraint side, bolts securing the second-row seatbelt retractors and the front shoulder belt anchor at the B-pillar may not be properly tightened, preventing those belts from holding as intended in a crash.
Two separate recalls address the hood latch: a faulty latch assembly can fail to warn the driver that the hood is unlatched, allowing it to fly open and block forward vision while driving. The driver assistance software also has multiple recalls: the Full Self-Driving Beta system can allow the vehicle to exceed speed limits, pass through intersections unlawfully, or roll through all-way stops without fully stopping, and a camera communication error can trigger a false automatic emergency braking event. The Autosteer system has a separate recall for insufficient driver monitoring when engaged.
Visibility issues cover several areas: a heat pump software error can reduce defroster performance, the rearview camera image can be delayed when shifting into reverse, taillights can intermittently go dark, and trailer brake lights may fail to illuminate on tow-equipped vehicles. The tire pressure warning light may not stay on between drive cycles. Rounding out the list, the pedestrian warning system can be sil
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
At a glance
What can fail
A software issue may delay the rearview camera image from appearing when you shift into reverse shortly after starting the vehicle, potentially violating the 2-second display requirement.
What the fix does
Tesla released an over-the-air software update to fix this problem. Your vehicle is fixed if it has software release 2026.8.6.1 or later.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera image may be delayed when you shift into reverse, affecting your ability to see behind the vehicle.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a free software update to your vehicle over-the-air to fix the camera display delay.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tire pressure warning light may turn off between trips even when tire pressure is low, so you won't get alerted to underinflated tires.
What the fix does
Tesla sends a free software update to your vehicle that keeps the warning light on when tire pressure is low.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The hood latch assembly may fail, preventing the warning light from showing on your dashboard. You might not realize your hood isn't fully latched, allowing it to open unexpectedly while driving.
What the fix does
Tesla released an over-the-air software update to fix this. Check your software version; if it's 2024.20.3 or later, the update is installed and no action is needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The hood latch assembly may fail to sense when the hood is unlatched after being opened, potentially allowing the hood to open while driving.
What the fix does
Tesla released a free over-the-air software update to fix the latch detection system.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seat belt warning light and chime may not activate when the driver is unbelted, failing to alert the driver to fasten their seat belt.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a software update over the air to fix the warning system so it activates properly for unbelted drivers.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A factory reset can silence the Pedestrian Warning System sounds, which alert pedestrians to the vehicle's presence. The vehicle then fails to meet federal sound requirements for electric vehicles.
What the fix does
Tesla releases a free software update (2023.44.30.14) over-the-air to restore the Pedestrian Warning System sounds.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System warning lights on the instrument panel display in an incorrect font size, which does not meet federal brake system safety standards.
What the fix does
Tesla is releasing a free over-the-air software update to correct the warning light font size display.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Autosteer controls may not be prominent or clear enough to prevent drivers from misusing this advanced driver-assistance feature when it's engaged.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a free software update over the air to improve how Autosteer controls are displayed and managed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The FSD Beta software may drive unsafely at intersections—going straight in turn-only lanes, not stopping at stop signs, or proceeding through yellow lights without caution. It may also not properly adjust for posted speed limits or account for driver speed changes above limits.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a free software update over the air to fix the FSD Beta system's intersection and speed-limit handling.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
One or both taillights may intermittently fail to illuminate on certain 2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles.
What the fix does
Tesla released a free over-the-air software update to fix the taillight illumination issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The automatic window reversal system may fail to stop the window when it detects an obstruction, potentially trapping or injuring occupants.
What the fix does
Tesla will update the automatic window reversal system software over-the-air at no cost to fix the detection and reversal response.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Boombox function can play sounds through an external speaker while driving, which may mask the Pedestrian Warning System sounds that alert nearby pedestrians.
What the fix does
A free software update will disable Boombox when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral, or Reverse modes, including Summon and Smart Summon features.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Boombox function plays audio through an external speaker while driving, which can mask the Pedestrian Warning System sounds that alert pedestrians to the vehicle's movement.
What the fix does
A free software update will disable Boombox when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral, or Reverse, restoring pedestrian warning sounds.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error may cause a heat pump valve to open unintentionally, trapping refrigerant in the evaporator and reducing defrosting performance.
What the fix does
Tesla will install a free over-the-air software update to fix the valve control error.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The audible chime that alerts the driver to an unbuckled seat belt may not sound when the vehicle starts.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a free software update over the air to restore the chime function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Full Self-Driving (Beta) software's rolling stop feature may allow the vehicle to pass through all-way stop intersections without fully stopping.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a free over-the-air software update that disables the rolling stop functionality.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front and rear suspension knuckles may crack, which could cause the suspension links to separate.
What the fix does
Tesla Service will inspect your suspension knuckles and replace them if needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Front and rear suspension knuckles may lack proper heat-treatment, causing them to bend or break. This could suddenly change wheel alignment and make the vehicle unstable.
What the fix does
Tesla will email you to schedule a service inspection of the suspension knuckles. Defective parts will be replaced as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software communication error may cause the forward-collision warning to activate falsely or trigger the automatic emergency brake system unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Tesla released a free over-the-air software update to fix the communication error.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, causing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame.
What the fix does
Tesla Service will tighten or replace the lateral link fasteners as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts securing the second-row left and right seat belt retractors may be insufficiently tightened, preventing the seat belts from functioning properly during a crash.
What the fix does
Tesla will inspect both second-row seat belt retractors and replace the bolts if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
One or both fasteners that secure the left and right second row seat belt retractors may not be properly attached.
What the fix does
Tesla Service will inspect both fasteners and replace them if necessary, at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fasteners securing the front seat shoulder belt to the b-pillar may not be properly attached, affecting one or both sides.
What the fix does
Tesla Service will inspect and repair both fasteners as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts securing the brake calipers may loosen, causing the caliper to separate and rub against the wheel rim.
What the fix does
Tesla Service will inspect the caliper bolts and tighten or replace them as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts connecting the front upper control arm to the steering knuckle may not have been properly tightened, potentially allowing the upper control arm to detach.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the bolts and tighten them as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error prevents trailer brake lights from illuminating on certain 2020 Model Y vehicles with global rear lamps and tow packages.
What the fix does
Tesla released a firmware update over-the-air starting September 23, 2020, to fix the software error and restore trailer brake light function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
